The Right Cross at the Right Time

In December 2004, I found myself in a bind. After serving as a youth pastor for over five years at the Stronghurst Christian Church in Stronghurst, Illinois, I decided to pursue seminary with the thought of becoming a college professor. I took out a student loan and moved to Lincoln, Illinois to attend seminary. One of the big problems I faced was I couldn’t find a job. 

Meanwhile, a $3,000 credit card debt from my time in Stronghurst loomed over me, spiraling toward collections. I was helpless. It was then my dad, fresh from selling some cattle, paid it off. When I promised to repay him, he simply said, “Show me your savings account when you’ve saved $3,000.” It took a few years, but I was able to do that. In fact, that was the money I used to buy Jenny’s engagement ring and pay for our honeymoon. That act of grace from my dad is a small picture of a much bigger story.

The Bible compares sin to a debt we can’t pay. It leaves us utterly helpless, trapped in a broken world, our relationship with God fractured because we’ve chosen our way over His. There’s nothing we can do to fix it. Yet, God doesn’t abandon us. From the moment sin entered through Adam and Eve, corrupting His good creation, God set a plan in motion to rescue us—starting with those made in His image. That plan centers on love, and it unfolds most clearly on a cross. In Romans 5:6-11, the Apostle Paul unpacks this story: the problem of sin, the power of faith, and the heart of God’s love.

The Meaning of the Cross: A Sacrifice for the Undeserving

Paul writes, “When we were utterly helpless, Christ died for the ungodly at just the right time” (Romans 5:6). Our sin left us powerless, unable to undo the damage to our relationship with God, each other, and the world. Like shattered glass, it can’t be unbroken. The covenant with Israel exposed this reality, showing our separation from God and our inability to save ourselves. Yet, at the precise moment in God’s plan—“just the right time”—Jesus died for us.

Consider this: we might sacrifice our lives for someone we love—a child, a sibling, a friend. But for a stranger? A morally good person we don’t know? Unlikely. Now imagine dying for an enemy. That’s where God’s heart differs. Paul says, “God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners” (Romans 5:8). Jesus, the righteous Son, gave His life for the ungodly—not because we deserved it, but because God’s love extends to all creation. The cross is love in action, securing eternal life and a place in God’s new creation.

The Greatness of the Cross: Justification and Reconciliation

Because of the cross, we are justified—made right in God’s sight. Sin’s penalty is death, but Jesus, the sinless One, took that penalty for us. His perfect life and sacrificial death didn’t just forgive us; they restored us as citizens of God’s Kingdom. Paul also says we’re reconciled: “Our friendship with God was restored” (Romans 5:10, NLT). More than friendship, we’re welcomed back as children, no longer enemies but family.

This salvation is secure. It’s not based on our efforts but on Jesus’ finished work. Our role? Faith—trust, loyalty, and commitment to King Jesus. Justification and reconciliation are offered to all, but only those who pledge their allegiance to Him receive them. The cross is God’s great act of love, dealing with sin’s penalty and restoring what was broken.

The Joy of the Cross: Celebrating Atonement

Paul calls us to “rejoice” in this new relationship with God (Romans 5:11). Other translations say “celebrate” or “boast.” We’re to thank God for His love, proclaim His mercy, and live with joy. The South Asia Bible commentary tells of a Nepali pastor who shared that one of the truths that drew him to Jesus was that He willingly died for His enemies—a stark contrast to gods he was taught about, who sought to destroy their foes. Our God loves even the rebellious, and that’s worth shouting about.

The cross brings atonement, a term from the Old Testament meaning to cover sin and restore the covenant. Paul uses justification and reconciliation to explain this to Gentiles: Jesus’ death deals with sin, repairing our relationship with God. This joy isn’t just for new believers—it’s how we live every day. Our hope isn’t in fleeting circumstances but in God’s promises and the return of King Jesus, who will make all things right.

Living in Light of the Cross

Romans 5:6-11 reveals God’s love poured out through Jesus’ sacrifice. The cross shows us that Christ died for the undeserving, justifies us by paying sin’s penalty, and reconciles us to God’s family. Because of this, we can rejoice—no longer slaves to sin, despair, or fear. We worship a God who loves us enough to die for us. That’s worth celebrating.

Big Idea: Jesus secured our atonement on the cross so we can be justified and reconciled to God.

We live in a sin-corrupted world. Our bodies fail, relationships fracture, and pain surrounds us. But that’s not the final word. Through Jesus’ death, we can have a new relationship with God and confidence in the future. The atonement—His perfect sacrifice—deals with our sin and restores us to our Creator.

Challenge: This week, worship God with gratitude. Whether through music, prayer, or reading Psalms, express the joy of the reconciliation Jesus made possible.

Closing Thought: At just the right moment, Jesus came to rescue creation from sin’s corruption—evil, pain, disease, and death. He did it through a Roman cross, an unlikely tool for victory. His sacrifice atoned for our sins, giving us hope and a place in God’s Kingdom. Because of Jesus, we can live confidently as part of His family.

Prayer:

• Thank God for the new relationship He offers through Jesus.
• Ask forgiveness for ongoing sin.
• Commit to following King Jesus with trust and loyalty.

Let’s live in the joy of the cross, proclaiming God’s love to a world that needs to hear it.

A Bleeding Heart

 

Jesus not only taught about the importance of love, compassion, and forgiveness, but it is also how he lived. He spent time helping others and showing compassion to those who needed healing, help, and hope. Jesus’s mission of compassion was an important part of how he ushered God’s Kingdom into the world, because it was a visible demonstration of what life in the Kingdom was like.

 Throughout the Gospels, we read about examples of how Jesus showed compassion to people, especially to people on the outside of community. It is interesting to note that most of the Jesus’ healings allowed people to return to being part of community life. Their healings moved them from being on the outside of the community to the inside of community. 

One of the best examples of this reality is seen in John 8:2-11. In this passage we read about a woman caught in adultery.  The religious leaders brought this woman to Jesus, after catching her in the act of adultery (apparently the man vanished into thin air). They asked Jesus what should be done with her. After all, the Law demanded that a person (both the man and the woman) in her situation should be stoned to death. 

Jesus, wanting people to rethink how the Law should be applied, said, “The one without sin among you should be the first to throw a stone at her.” (John 8:7, CSB) Jesus' words not only revealed his compassion for a woman who was unfairly treated, but these words also highlighted the hypocrisy of the religious leaders who were quick to judge and condemn others without acknowledging their sin.

Another example of Jesus' compassion is found in the healing of the leper found in Mark 1. Leprosy in the first century was a feared disease since it was untreatable and made a person unclean. Since lepers were viewed as unclean they were forced to live in physical and social isolation. 

In Mark 1:40-45, we read how Jesus cleansed this man with leprosy by touching him, despite the social taboo of touching a leper. Jesus not only showed compassion for the man's physical suffering, but Jesus also restored his social standing by cleansing him of leprosy, which allowed the man to return to the community. 

Another example of Jesus showing compassion to those who were outcasts or and marginalized by society is found in Luke 7:36-50. In this passage Jesus is invited to dinner by a Pharisee named Simon. At dinner a woman known for her sinful life came in uninvited. She made a spectacle of herself as she cried and kissed Jesus’ feet. Simon was disgusted by her presence, but Jesus praised her and forgave her sins. This story reveals Jesus’ compassionate and gracious character as he makes room in the Kingdom for those the religious culture had rejected. Jesus makes room for the outcasts by offering them hope and forgiveness.

Without a doubt, Jesus' life was marked by compassion for others. He reached out to those who were suffering, whether physically, emotionally, or socially, and offered them hope and healing. Jesus' compassion for people provides us with an example to follow.

Given that reality, it makes me wonder about the motivation behind statements like this.

 

I think this a good example of being so committed to a theological and political worldview that it distorts the true image God and true character of Jesus. As I just demonstrated, reading of the Gospels reveals this as an incorrect understanding of Jesus and his mission.

The Bible clearly teaches that God saved us because of His love (John 3:16). Pity, mercy, and compassion all flow out of love. God saves us because He loves us. This is crucial because it is love that forms the foundation for how we are to live.

John wrote:

1 John 3:16-17 (NLT)
We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person?

Sacrificial love is the opposite of promoting your own glory. It is doing what is best for the person in need, regardless of the cost to you.

Paul emphasizes this very point in Philippians 2.

Philippians 2:3-8 (NLT)

Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

Though he was God,

he did not think of equality with God

as something to cling to.

Instead, he gave up his divine privileges;

he took the humble position of a slave

and was born as a human being.

When he appeared in human form,

he humbled himself in obedience to God

and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

We are to be humble, because Jesus was humble. It was the humility of Jesus that led him to set aside his divine rights and sacrifice himself for us. Yes, the passage goes on to say that Jesus will be raised to the place of highest honor, but that was not what motivated him. His motivation was love and that required humility and sacrifice.

The write of Hebrews wrote:

Hebrews 1:3 (NLT)

The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven.

In Jesus we see both the glory of God and the character of God, and what we discover is that at the very heart of who God is is love. We can’t separate God’s glory from love, and therefore, compassion is at the very heart of salvation.

Cling to Hope

1 Peter 1:6-9 (CSB)

You rejoice in this, even though now for a short time, if necessary, you suffer grief in various trials so that the proven character of your faith — more valuable than gold which, though perishable, is refined by fire — may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him; though not seeing him now, you believe in him, and you rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy, because you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

The Apostle Peter wrote the book we know as 1 Peter to encourage and strengthen the persecuted Christians who were dispersed throughout various provinces in the Roman Empire. In this passage, 1 Peter 1:6-9, Peter taught about the importance of enduring trials in order to strengthen our faith and receive the ultimate reward of salvation.

Peter began by acknowledging that the trials we face in life can be difficult and painful, which often causes us to feel grief and sorrow. However, in spite of these trials it is important for us to rejoice because we know God will not waste our pain. Instead, God will use them for our benefit and growth. Through our trials, Peter wrote, our faith is tested and refined, just like gold is refined by fire. This refining process strengthens our character and prepares us for life in the Kingdom.

It's important to note that Peter didn’t say that suffering is optional for Christians. In fact, he wrote that trials are "necessary" for our growth and development. This is difficult to hear, especially when we're in the midst of a particularly when we are growing though a trial. However, it's crucial to remember that God is able to use all our experiences, good and bad, to form us in the image of Jesus.

Peter goes on to say that faith refined by the fire of trials and hardships is more valuable than gold. While gold is precious and desired for many purpose, including jewelry and money, it is still perishable and can be destroyed. Our faith, on the other hand, is eternal and cannot be taken away from us. It is through our faith that we receive salvation. This salvation, and eternal relationship with God, is the most important goal of our lives.

It is interesting that Peter acknowledged the reality that we have not physically seen Jesus, but that reality hasn’t stopped us from trusting and loving him. Our faith is not based on our physical interaction with Jesus, but on the truth taught to us, the example of other Christians, and the difference following Jesus made in our lives. This faith brings us both joy and hope, even in the midst of our trials.

It's important to note that Peter doesn’t say that we should be happy about our trials themselves. Instead, he encouraged us to find joy God’s love as He uses our trials to refine our faith and form us in the image of Jesus. This joy is not a surface-level happiness that comes and goes with our circumstances, rather it is a deep and abiding sense of peace that comes from knowing that we are loved and cared for by our Heavenly Father.

1 Peter 1:6-9 teaches us that our trials serve a greater purpose in our lives. They are not meaningless or purposeless, but are opportunities for us to grow and develop as Christians. As we endure  the trials of life with faith and perseverance, we can trust that God is using them to refine our character and to strengthen our hope. We should rejoice, even in the midst of our suffering, knowing that God is with us and working all things together for our good.

A New Birth Into A Living Hope

1 Peter 1:3-5 (CSB)

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you. You are being guarded by God’s power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

The apostle Peter wrote this letter to encourage and strengthen the persecuted believers in Asia Minor. In verses 1 and 2, Peter reminded them that they are God’s chosen people because of the Father’s plan, the Spirit’s transforming work, and the Son’s faithful obedience. 

In this passage, Peter celebrated the new birth that disciples of Jesus experience through faith in Christ, which provided them a living hope and an imperishable inheritance.

Peter wrote, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ," which expressed his profound gratitude and worship for God's character and work. Peter recognized that God's gracious mercy is the source of all spiritual blessings and the foundation of salvation. God's mercy is not based on human merit or worthiness but flows from His infinite love and grace. Through His mercy, God has given us new birth that brings us from death to life and makes us children of God (John 1:12-13).

This new birth is not a result of our own efforts or achievements but is a gift of God's grace that is given to us through the faithfulness of Jesus and our trust in him. Peter emphasized that the resurrection of Jesus from the dead is the ultimate proof and guarantee that this new birth is a reality and that God’s people now have a living hope. 

Jesus' resurrection validated his claims to be the Son of God and the Savior of the world. Through his resurrection, Jesus conquered Satan, sin, and death which saved us from the consequences of sin and secured eternal life for his faithful followers. As Paul wrote, "If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins" (1 Corinthians 15:17). But because Christ has been raised, our faith is alive, vibrant, and victorious.

Peter also highlighted the nature and quality of the inheritance that all of God’s people receive through this new birth. The inheritance we have is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for us. It is imperishable because it is not subject to decay, corruption, or death. It is eternal, incorruptible, and indestructible. It is undefiled because it is pure, holy, and perfect. It is untainted by sin, evil, or imperfection. It is unfading because it never loses its value, beauty, or glory. It is the perfect gift that God wants His people to have.

This inheritance is not something we earn or deserve but it is a gracious gift God gives to his people. It is not a temporary or earthly possession but an eternal and heavenly treasure. It is not a vague or abstract concept but a concrete and personal reality. It is something that is grander and more wonderful than we can imagine. It is not something we keep but something that keeps us. It is not something we can lose but something that is guarded by God's promise and power.

Peter also reassured the believers that their inheritance is secure and guarded by God's power through faith. The phrase "you are being guarded" implies ongoing and active protection by God's power. The verb tense suggests that this guarding is not a one-time event but a continuous process. God's power is not limited but it is eternal. His power is not arbitrary or random but is directed by His wisdom and love. God’s power is not passive or indifferent but is active and engaged.

This guarding is also through faith, which implies that Christians have a role to play in our spiritual security. Faith is not a passive or static belief but an active and dynamic trust in God's promises and character. Faith is not a blind or irrational leap but a reasonable and informed response to God's revelation. Faith is not a private or isolated experience but a communal and relational reality. Faith is not a temporary or fluctuating emotion but a persistent and persevering conviction.

Peter concluded this passage by reminding the believers that their salvation is not fully revealed yet, but it is ready to be revealed in the last time. This means that our inheritance is not fully realized yet, we have a glimpse of it, but it will be fully revealed when Jesus returns and makes everything right. Until then, believers must live in hope, faith, and obedience, knowing that their ultimate destiny is secure and glorious.

This passage is teaches that our hope and our salvation is all a work of God. It highlights the depth and breadth of God's mercy, the power and significance of Christ's resurrection, and the greatness and certainty of our inheritance. 

This passage also challenges us to live in a way that reflects the reality and hope of our new birth and inheritance. As Peter wrote later in his epistle, "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light" (1 Peter 2:9). When we live out our hope we make Jesus real in the world.

As Christians, we have been born again into a living hope and an imperishable inheritance. We are guarded by God's power through faith as we wait for our salvation to be fully revealed. We need to live as children of God, shining the light of Christ in a dark world, and eagerly awaiting the day when we will see Him face to face and inherit all that He has promised.

Hebrews: Warning Against Neglect

STOP — Hebrews 2:1-4

Summarize
The writer of Hebrews is urging the readers to pay close attention to what they have heard to avoid drifting away. The danger they are facing is that they are neglecting the salvation they have been taught, and this neglect will have dire consequences. This salvation was confirmed by Jesus and witnessed by those who heard him, and God also testified to its truth through miracles and gifts given to Christians through the Holy Spirit.

Truth
Followers of Jesus need focus on knowing God’s word and doing God’s word.

Observations

1. For this reason: Jesus is superior to the angels and the angels are ministering spirits for God’s people. This is the truth that the writer of Hebrews wants people to remember.
2. When we forget who Jesus is and place too much emphasize on angels or even spiritual gifts and experiences, it is easy for us to drift away from the truth.
3. Angels, who are ministering spirits to God’s people, spoke a message that was legally binding, how much more are the words of Jesus authoritative in our lives?
4. The salvation that we have was promised by God from the beginning and is being confirmed through Jesus and those who proclaim Jesus to the world.
5. God proved that Jesus is the Messiah through miracles Jesus and the Holy Spirit empowered good works that Jesus’s followers are able to do.

Prayer
Lord, help me to remain focused on the truth of the Gospel so that it guides both my thoughts and my actions.